Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC), urged officials in Chongqing City to do a good job in resettlement of residents in the Three Gorges reservoir area, reform of state-owned enterprises and meeting the challenges after China's accession to the World Trade Organization.
Li made the remarks Thursday when he joined a discussion by NPC deputies from the municipality of Chongqing. He noted that Chongqing has achieved remarkable progress over the past several years guided by the correct policy of the central government, through hard work of local people, and with support from other areas of the country.
The success of the Three Gorges Project lies in resettlement of affected residents in the reservoir area. The residents must be resettled in time to ensure that the reservoir begins storing water and the power plant generates electricity on schedule, Li Peng said.
He noted that state-owned enterprises have contributed greatly to the city's economy, and urged local officials to handle well the reemployment of laid-off workers for the purpose of social stability.
"We should wholeheartedly care for the disadvantaged groups of people and truly ensure the minimum cost of living for needy urban residents," Li said.
Talking about challenges and opportunities brought by China's accession to the WTO, Li Peng said the city should give full play to the role of talented people and further its industrial restructuring. In the meantime, labor-intensive industries should be developed to create more jobs.
In addition, the municipal government should strengthen its institutional restructuring, reduce administrative procedures of examination and approval, and raise efficiency, the top legislator said.
(People's Daily March 8, 2002)
